Windows net use equivalent in Linux
Mounts a network share (Windows SMB/CIFS share or NFS) so you can access it like a local folder.
net use
mount / smbclient
mount / smbclient
mount / smbclient
Overview
What this command does
On Windows, "net use" is used to connect to network shares. On Linux, the closest practical mapping shown here is "mount / smbclient". Mounts a network share (Windows SMB/CIFS share or NFS) so you can access it like a local folder. This reference is grouped under Networking.
Windows → Linux context
What changes when you use this on Linux?
Equivalent task, different tool
Windows net use maps to mount / smbclient for this task. Treat this as a workflow mapping rather than a character-for-character syntax translation.
Portable across the compared distros
The Debian/Ubuntu, Fedora and Arch rows use the same command in this mapping. Package availability or defaults can still vary, so check the installed tool version when an option behaves differently.
For the broader concept behind this mapping, read Linux networking for Windows users.
Practical tasks
Common use cases
Connect to network shares
Mounts a network share (Windows SMB/CIFS share or NFS) so you can access it like a local folder.
smbclient //server/share
Browse a Windows share interactively
mount -t cifs //server/share /mnt/point
Mount SMB share permanently
mount -t nfs server:/share /mnt/nfs
Mount NFS share
Ready to run
Copyable Linux commands
Review paths, device names, package names and permissions before running any command.
sudo apt install cifs-utils
sudo mount -t cifs //192.168.1.10/SharedDocs /mnt/share -o username=john
smbclient //server/share -U john
Walkthrough
Examples with explanations
# Windows: net use Z: \\server\share
# Install SMB support:
sudo apt install cifs-utils
# Mount a Windows share:
sudo mount -t cifs //192.168.1.10/SharedDocs /mnt/share -o username=john
# Browse without mounting:
smbclient //server/share -U johnReference
Common options and variations
| Command or option | Use |
|---|---|
smbclient //server/share | Browse a Windows share interactively |
mount -t cifs //server/share /mnt/point | Mount SMB share permanently |
mount -t nfs server:/share /mnt/nfs | Mount NFS share |
umount /mnt/point | Unmount a share |
df -h | Verify the share is mounted |
Distro differences
Debian/Ubuntu vs Fedora vs Arch
Debian/Ubuntu, Fedora and Arch all use "mount / smbclient" for this mapping. The command syntax shown here is portable across the three rows, although installed versions and system defaults can still vary.
| Distribution | Package manager / base | Equivalent command | Difference to notice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian/Ubuntu | same command | mount / smbclient |
Same command on this distribution. |
| Fedora | same command | mount / smbclient |
Same command on this distribution. |
| Arch | same command | mount / smbclient |
Same command on this distribution. |
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